Eco-friendly Ways to Save Money

Save the earth and save money at the same time? Now that sounds like a win-win situation! Here are some tips to get you started.

In the Kitchen

Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones. Not only are you reducing waste, but your meal times will feel more special.

Cook from scratch instead of using pre-packaged foods. You create less waste, and the food generally tastes better.

A pressure cooker cooks food much quicker than a regular pot on the stove (up to 70% quicker), so less energy is used. Pressure cookers are great for things like beans, which means fewer tins bought, and even less packaging and waste.

Eat less meat. Not only is meat expensive, but it isn’t good for the environment. If the thought of going meat-free overwhelms you, start with meat-free Mondays.

Water-wise

Instead of buying bottled water every time you are thirsty, buy a good quality reusable water bottle. Make sure it is BPA free, or even better – buy a stainless steel bottle.

Replace your shower head with a low flow shower head. They can use anywhere between 25 and 60% less water, and most of the time you won’t even notice the difference! And while we’re on the topic, five minutes is more than enough to wash in the morning. Do it gradually, taking off one a minute at a time if you find it too difficult to stick to five minutes. This alone will save over a thousand gallons a year.

Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth – it may not seem like much but leaving the tap running twice a day every day adds up quickly!

If you have a pool, you know how much water it uses to keep it full. Get a pool cover installed – not only will it reduce the evaporation but it will also keep the pool cleaner thereby reducing the need for chemicals.